The number of illegal aliens apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in January was down compared to recent months, but higher than any January in the past five years.

A total of 31,575 people attempted to enter the U.S. through the southern border, according to CBP statistics released Monday. The past three months since the fiscal year started on Oct. 1 have seen between 43,000 and 48,000 people per month.